The opening of a US Agency for International Development (US AID) Office in Papua New Guinea is desired to improve public health care systems, responses to natural disasters and drive a sustainable economic growth.
US AID Administrator Samantha Power who met with Prime Minister James Marape in Port Moresby announced an additional funding support of $5.2 million for disaster preparedness.
Some of that funding will be used to provide relief assistance to the Mt. Bagana eruption in South Bougainville.
Ms Powers who is the first US AID administrator to visit PNG says the opening of a US AID Representative Office in country is a reflection of USA’s desire to build on the progress both countries have made since PNG’s independence.
“This fulfills President Biden’s promise from last year, and again, is a reflection of this deepened commitment to Papua New Guinea and to the broader region,” Power said.
Prime Minister James Marape said his government’s focus on a special relationship with USA is not just on politics or defence but in all sense.
“The presence of Ms. Power is to indicate to us the completeness of U.S. presence in our country is not just in security, or not just in government-to-government relationship, or security and defence cooperation, but in every aspect of our relationship with the USA,” said Marape.
The brief visit to Port Moresby focuses on recognising PNG build its own disaster response capabilities by creating disaster management plans, pursuing climate smart agriculture, and providing stronger protection for women and girls.
Power said the additional funding will go towards disaster preparedness to help communities become resilient “Recognizing that Papua New Guinea is one of the countries at highest risk of natural disasters in the world, US AID will provide $ 5.2 million in additional humanitarian assistance and assistance to disaster reliance in PNG,” Power said.
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